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Naturalisation in Extra-Tropical Countries, 483
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are known. The sugar-cane is one of the best of all plants of economic
value, to keep cleared ground in tropical forests free from weeds or
tho invasion of other plants. Excessive rains produce a rank luxuriance
of the canes at the expense of the saccharine principle. Rich
manuring is necessary to obtain good crops, luiiess in the best of virgin
soil. The lower leaves of the stem must suCcesively be removed,
also superabundant suckers, to promote the growth upwards, and to
provide ventilation and light. Out of the remnants of sugar-cane
either molasses or nun or taffia can be prepared. The average yield
of sugar varies from 1 ton 6 cwt. to 3 tons for the acre ; but exceptionally
as mnoh as 6 tons per acre have even been obtained in the
hardly tropical Hawaian Islands. The world’s production of cane-
sugar in 1875 amounted to 2,140,000 tons [Boucheranx], in 1886 to
2,583,000 tons [F . O. Licht]. Among some other works for fuller
information the valuable volume of Mr. A. Mackay, “ The Sugar-
Cane in Australia,” should be consulted, partioularly in the far
southern colonies. For the conditions and prospects of the cane-sugar
industry in the Southern United States see the special report of tlie
Hon. General Le Duo, Washington, 1877 ; also the “ Sugar Industries
of the United^States,” by H. W. Wiley, 1885. The stately S.
spontaneum (Linné), which extends from India to Eg y p t and New
Guinea, is available for scenic culture. I t attains a height of 15 feet,
and ascends in Jav a , according to Dr. Ju nghuhu’s observations, to a
heiglit of 17,000 feet. Other tall kinds of Saocharum occur iu
South-Asia.
Sageretia Brandrethiana, Aitchison.
North-Western Himalayas, Persia, and Arabia. A deciduous shrub,
bearing small sweet fruits, not unlike Bilberries in flavor, which are
regularly collected and sold in the bazaars of Peshawur. S. oppositifolia
and S. theezans (Brongniart) have also edible fruits and the
leaves of the latter species are used like tea [Dr. G. Wa tt].
Sagittaria lancifolia, Linné.
From Virginia to the Antilles. This very handsome aquatic plant
can doubtless be utilised like the following species. I t attains a
height of 5 feet.
Sagittaria obtusa, Muehlenberg. (8. latifolia, Willdenow.)
North-America, where it replaces the closely allied S. sagittifolia.
A few other oonspicuons species are worthy of introduction. The
Tule- or Wapatoo-root of California is derived from S. variabilis
(Engelmann).
Sagittaria sagittifolia, Linné.
Europe, Northern aud Middle Asia, east to Japan. One of the
most showy of all hardy water-plants ; still not alone on th a t
account deserving naturalisation, but also because its root is edible.
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I f once established, this plant maintains its ground well, aud might
occupy submerged spots not otherwise utilised. For a full account
of this plant refer to “ Bulletin de la Soc. d’Acclimat.,” 1888, p.
1102—1106.
Salix alba, Linné.*
The Silky or Huntingdon Willow of Europe, originally of North-
Africa, Northern and Western Asia ; according to Prof. Andersson
of exclusively Asiatic origin, yet praised already in the Odyssey I t
bears the frosts of Norway to lat. 63“ 52'. i t is positively known
th a t the Silky Willow will live to an age of 150 years, and probably
much longer. ^ Available for wet places not otherwise in cultivation.
Height reaching to 80 feet, circumference of stem sometimes to 20
feet ; of rapid growth. A Huntingdon Willow exists in Lincolnshire
still in vigorous growth said to be several centuries old, the stem
measuring a t 4 feet from the ground 20^ feet round, the total height
being only 40 feet, but one of its limbs stretching to a length of 40
feet also [Dr. M. T. Masters]. Foliage silvery-pubescent. Wood
smooth, soft aud tough, bearing pounding and knocking better than
th a t of any other British tree; eligible where lightness, pliancy and
elasticity are required; hence in request for wheel-floats and shrouding
of water-wheels, as it is not subject to splinter ; for the sides and
bottoms of carts and barrows, for break-blocks of trucks ; also used
for turnery, trays, fenders, shoe-lasts, light handles [Simmonds]. Its
. weight IS from 26 to 33 lbs. per cubic foot. Timber, according to
Robb, the lightest aud softest of all prominently utilitarian woods ;
available for bungs ; it is planed into chips for hat-boxes, baskets,
and woven bonnets ; also worked up for cricket-bats, boxes, and
and many utensils, as well as for matches. 'The charcoal is excellent
for gunpowder. The bark is particularly valued as a tan for certain
kinds of glove-leather, to which it imparts an agreeable odor. Mr.
Scaling records, th a t in rich grounds on the banks of streams this
willow will grow to a height of 24 feet in 5 years with 2 feet basal
girth of the stem ; in 8 years he found it to grow 35 feet, with 33
inches girth a t 1 foot from the ground. Loudon noticed the height
to^ be S3 feet iu 20 years, and the girth 7^ feet. In winterless countries
the growth is still moro rapid. To produce straight stems for
timber, the cuttings must be planted very close, some of the trees to
removed from time to time. After 30 or 40 years the trees will deteriorate.
Sealing estimates the value of an aere of wiliow-timber to
he about £300. The Golden Osier, Salix viteilina, L., is a variety;
this IS the best for cricket-bats, of which article about 100,000 are
annually required merely for Australia [Alfr. Dye]. The shoots are
used for hoops and wicker-work. With other large willows and poplars
one of the best scavengers for baok-yards, wlière drainage cannot
rea.dilj be applied; highly valuable also for formiug lines along narrow
water-courses, or valleys in forests, to stay bush-fires. All willows,
as early flowering, are o f particular importance to apiarists [Cook,
QumbyJ. The extreme rapidity of growth of most willow-trees pud